Remembering Leonardo Da Vinci: Eccentric Genius, Faithful Catholic

By Jason Scott – Reckless. Gifted. Provocative. Irreverent. Intelligent. Courageous. It’s a crazy bag of labels, but over the years, the man at the centre of this tale has comfortably worn them all. Tomorrow, April 15, marks the birthday of Leonardo da Vinci, the Renaissance genius whose life and work continue to captivate us.

Da Vinci (1452-1519), often portrayed as a liberal, progressive thinker, was deeply aware of the moral responsibilities that came with his artistic pursuits. In his Notebooks, he wrote:

“Painting embraces all the ten functions of the eye: darkness, light, body, colour, shape, location, distance, closeness, motion, and rest. But this great power, if abused, can lead the soul astray. The painter strives to capture the beauty of the world, but if he is not careful, he may instead awaken the basest desires of men.

“For what is beauty without virtue? It becomes a snare for the senses, a deception, a fleeting pleasure that leaves the soul empty. Let the painter, therefore, be cautious, lest in seeking to render the human form, he glorify the flesh rather than the spirit.”

This passage encapsulates Da Vinci’s profound insight into the perennial struggle between the spiritual and the sensual in artistic expression. His masterpiece, “The Last Supper”, is a testament to his commitment to capturing the spiritual essence of the Christian narrative. Housed in the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, this work remains one of the most revered depictions of Christ’s final meal with his apostles — one which we will remember in a special way this week on Holy Thursday.

Da Vinci’s meticulous approach to this painting reflects his deep respect for the Church and his desire to use art to convey the divine.

Da Vinci’s relationship with the Church and the papacy was complex but significant. He worked under the patronage of several popes, including Pope Leo X, who commissioned him to paint the Battle of Anghiari in the Palazzo Vecchio. His art was not merely a means of expression but also a tool to serve the Church and enhance its spiritual mission. Art, in Da Vinci’s hands, became a vehicle for exploring the mysteries of creation and reflecting the divine order of the universe.

As Catholics, we can draw inspiration from Da Vinci’s reverence for the sacred and his untiring pursuit of the divine in all things. His work challenges us to seek the eternal truths that underlie the beauty of the world, reminding us that true advancement must be rooted in a deeper understanding of the human condition.

In a world that often prioritises the fleeting over the eternal, Da Vinci’s insights remain as relevant as ever. His warning about the potential abuse of art to awaken base desires speaks to the challenges we face in a culture that often conflates beauty with indulgence. As we navigate the complexities of modern life, Da Vinci’s call to glorify the spirit over the flesh offers a timeless reminder of the importance of virtue and moral responsibility.

On the eve of his birthday, let us reflect on Leonardo da Vinci’s enduring legacy — a legacy that calls us to seek truth, beauty, and goodness in all aspects of life. In doing so, we honour not only his genius but the divine order that he sought to understand and express through his work.

And as always, trust the plan.